Album Review: Tribulation – Where The Gloom Becomes Sound

Album Review: Tribulation - Where The Gloom Becomes Sound
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings

2015’s ‘The Children of the Night’ has been defined in some quarters as a watershed moment for Swedes Tribulation. Their evolution from death metal to gothic rock n roll provided a more accessible gateway whilst losing none of the darkness that has enveloped the band since their formation over 15 years ago. 2018’s ‘Down Below’ was an intoxicatingly head mix, and an album that cemented the band as one of the most interesting to watch. I first saw the band supporting Paradise Lost back in 2015 when they were magnificent and by all accounts, they turned in a solid support to Ghost just over 12 months ago.

With the album written, it was something of a shock to read that songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Hultén had decided to leave the band just as the promotional cycle began. Hultén has worked in tandem with fellow guitarist Adam Zaars as the band’s two main songwriters, albeit that the pair produced their work separately before combining their ideas and work before songs were crafted. Tribulation have reassured fans that the band will continue with the appointment of guitarist Joseph Tholl, a long-time friend of the band who should fit in well.

Although that change will clearly disappoint long-time fans of the band, there is the consolation of a new album which will obviously act as a legacy to Hultén but should also be welcomed with arms, for ‘Where the Gloom Becomes Sound’ is surely the band’s most composed and assured release to date.

Drenched in the gothic darkness that Tribulation have embraced for several years, there is little here that references their death metal origins. But that’s okay because Tribulation have matured in a way that was necessary. The progression from ‘Down Below’ is evident, with songs such as ‘In Remembrance’, ‘Hour of the Wolf’ and ‘Elementals’ strong illustrations of the band’s evolution, with catchy hooks, dark melodies, and sufficient heaviness to hold the older school entranced. ‘Leviathans’ is already in the public domain and should be familiar with its driving rhythm section and searing guitars.

Primarily composed by Hultén, the influences and inspirations run deep. Roky Erickson to Morbid Angel, NWOBHM and Swedish folk, all have seeped their magic into ‘Where the Gloom Becomes Sound’. Tribulation have immersed themselves in the world of myth and magic, with a specific focus on elemental magic. Whilst not new in the subject matter of the band, it is presented from a different perspective.

Unafraid to mix it up, the haunting piano of ‘Lethe’ sits in solitude midpoint, contrasting with the semi-thrash of ‘Daughters of the Dijnn’, one of the faster and heavier tracks on this mesmerising record. Effortlessly slipping between styles and subject matter, drifting from death to other supernatural forces, this is as the band admit, “a paean to the supernatural—the unspeakable things that bump after twilight”.

Recorded over a period of two months at Linus Björklund’s Studio Ryssviken, the group invited soundman and long-time friend Jamie Elton to co-produce, before passing ‘Where the Gloom Becomes Sound to Grammy-nominated producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein) to mix at Psalm Studios. Tribulation re-enlisted Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios in Stockholm to master.

The result is an album of the year contender already. Majestic, entrancing, and bewitching in equal measure, ‘Where the Gloom Becomes Sound’ is an album that finishes as strongly as it opens. ‘Funeral Pyre’ and ‘The Wilderness’ are surely shoe in tracks for a set list when live music becomes a reality once more. But there isn’t a weak song on this record, and if there is any reward in this life, then Tribulation’s profile should be enhanced dramatically in 2021.